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Symptoms and Causes of Gambling Addiction

gambling

If you’re struggling with problem gambling, you might be wondering if there’s a connection between your gambling behavior and your personality. If so, this article will discuss the symptoms and causes of problem gambling. Getting help for gambling addiction is crucial for preventing further damage to your health and the well-being of your loved ones. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of gambling addiction to help you identify your own risk. We also offer tips on how to help yourself stop gambling, too.

Problem gambling

Gambling can have severe consequences on a person’s life. The activity can affect relationships, work, and hobbies. Social isolation can also be a result of problem gambling. Because the ‘high’ derived from gambling is incomparable to the normal,’real’ life, people with problem gambling may experience arguments, strained relationships, and failure to fulfill responsibilities. They may also borrow money to indulge in their gambling habit.

Signs

One of the signs of an addiction to gambling is when the person engages in illegal activities to fund his or her addiction. These illegal activities may include stealing money or committing criminal offences to satisfy his or her gambling urges. If the behavior continues unchecked, it can even lead to a person’s death. The individual might start telling lies and manipulating others to justify his or her actions. Similarly, the person may begin to deceive others, or even lie about his or her location.

Symptoms

Individuals with a gambling disorder are preoccupied with the activity, and may gamble to avoid stress, get revenge, or satisfy other needs. Symptoms often include lying or hiding their gambling habits, spending hours every day on the activity, or relying on others for financial assistance. In addition, these symptoms may start in early adulthood or occur before a person’s adolescent years. They may occur as a result of a person’s compulsion to gamble or because of a family member or friend’s inability to give up gambling.

Causes

There are several causes of gambling addiction. Gamblers are often preoccupied and they may take risks that they cannot afford. In addition, people who are addicted to gambling may experience withdrawal symptoms from their behavior. Some people gamble to escape their stress, boredom, and loneliness. They may be unable to sleep because they feel guilt or worry about their actions. Whatever the cause, the first step to recovery is to seek help. Here are a few of the common causes of gambling addiction:

Treatment

The first step to finding treatment for your gambling addiction is to talk about your problem with a trusted friend or family member. While this may be difficult, recognizing that you have an addiction to gambling is the first step to treatment. It will also encourage you to seek help. By establishing a supportive environment, you can encourage someone to go to treatment. A counselor or therapist can help you decide what is best for you. In some cases, you may need to seek out inpatient or residential treatment.